Democrats Take Narrow Lead Before 2026 Midterms as Trump Disapproval Rises: Poll

Democrats appear to be gaining early traction ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, as a new CNN poll indicates a modest but notable shift in voter sentiment against President Donald Trump and his party.

While the margin is narrower than past midterm cycles, the findings suggest growing dissatisfaction with the direction of the country and renewed energy among Democratic voters.

Democrats take slim lead on generic ballot

According to the CNN survey conducted by SSRS, Democrats currently hold a five-point advantage on the generic congressional ballot. About 47 percent of registered voters say they would support the Democratic candidate in their district, compared with 42 percent who favour the Republican option.

Though smaller than the Democrats' double-digit edge at a similar point before the 2018 midterms, the lead reflects a favourable environment for the party as concerns about governance, democracy and the economy intensify.

Trump approval sinks as discontent grows

President Trump's approval rating has fallen to 37 percent, marking the lowest level of his second term and equalling the weakest point of his first presidency. His disapproval rating now stands at 63 percent, the highest across both terms.

While CNN's polling places his approval slightly higher at 41 percent, both figures underline a steady erosion of support across partisan lines and demographic groups since mid-2025. Public frustration extends to major national issues, with 68 percent saying things in the United States are going badly and 72 percent describing the economy as poor. A majority, 61 percent, believe Trump's policies have worsened economic conditions.

Voter motivation tilts towards Democrats

Democratic voters appear far more energised heading into 2026. Nearly 67 percent of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents say they are "extremely motivated" to vote, compared with 46 percent among Republican-aligned voters.

Motivation is strongest among those worried about the "state of democracy". About 82 percent of voters who prioritise this issue report high enthusiasm to turn out, well above the 57 percent of those who consider the economy their top concern. Overall, 26 percent of Americans now identify the state of democracy as the most important issue facing the country, rising to 45 percent among Democrats.

Party loyalty holds despite internal frustration

Despite weaker overall favourability ratings, Democrats appear to be consolidating support. Only 65 percent of Democratic-aligned voters view their party positively, compared with 80 percent of Republicans who have a favourable opinion of the GOP. Even so, loyalty remains strong. Among Democrats who hold an unfavourable view of their own party, 93 percent still plan to vote for the Democratic candidate, and 71 percent say they are highly motivated to participate.

The poll also highlights dissatisfaction with Trump's governance style. Around 61 percent believe he has overused presidential power, a nine-point increase since February. His handling of a recent government shutdown is viewed negatively by 61 percent, while 81 percent consider the shutdown a major problem or crisis. More than half of respondents say his foreign policy has damaged America's global standing, and 57 percent think he has gone too far on deportations of undocumented immigrants.

Congress is not immune from criticism either. About 55 percent of Americans believe Republicans in Congress are doing too much to support Trump, up from 48 percent earlier in the year, although 63 percent of GOP voters say their party's stance is "about right". On the Democratic side, 69 percent of party-aligned voters feel their lawmakers are not doing enough to oppose the president.

The CNN-SSRS poll was conducted between October 27 and 30, 2025, surveying 1,245 adults, including 954 registered voters, through online and telephone interviews. The margin of sampling error is plus or minus 3.1 percentage points for all adults and 3.6 points for registered voters.